T-shirt bag and stack of bags

ABSTRACT

In embodiments of the invention, a T-shirt bag includes a breakout die cut between a rack hook die cut and a bag opening. Such breakout die cuts may thus limit tears from reaching the edge of the bag opening. In embodiments of the invention, a T-shirt bag includes multiple rack hook die cuts to accommodate dispensing racks having rack hooks in different positions. Such a T-shirt bag may thus enjoy wider application than conventional bags. Moreover, the multiple rack hook die cuts may further lessen the chance that a tear caused by tugging or elevated bags during loading will reach the edge of the bag opening.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to thermoplastic bags and stacks of such bags, and more particularly, but without limitation, to improvements in die cuts associated with a rack hook mounting area of the thermoplastic bags.

2. Description of the Related Art

Thin-walled thermoplastic bags with an open top side are commonly used in retail stores to bundle consumer purchases at a point of sale. In the bagging and retail industries, a T-shirt or vest bag refers to a bag that has two carrying handles extending from the top side of the bag body on opposite sides of the bag opening, because such handles loosely resemble the short sleeves of a T-shirt or shoulder straps of a vest.

In retail stores, a stack of T-shirt bags is typically placed on a dispensing rack so that each bag in the stack can be individually opened, filled with consumer goods, and removed from the rack. T-shirt bags usually communicate with the rack in three places: a first and second rack arm are threaded through corresponding die cuts or other holes in the first and second handles; and a rack hook passes through a die cut or other hole in a center portion of the bag near the bag opening.

In a typical bag-filling process, a person may first tug on a front portion of a first bag in the stack to widen the opening of the first bag. The bags are configured so that a rear portion of the first bag tends to stick to a second bag in the stack. The person then begins filling the first bag. When the first bag is full, the person may again tug on the first bag to fully release it from the stack, and then lift the bag using the handles. This second tug should also cause a front portion of the second bag in the stack to separate from a rear portion of the second bag, thus automatically opening the second bag to permit immediate filling.

Conventional T-shirt bags used with such dispensers have many disadvantages, however. For instance, because of repeated tugging, together with the weight of items placed in the bag, the die cuts or other holes associated with the center rack hook tend to tear in the direction of the bag opening. Moreover, it has been observed that store cashiers will sometimes load a single dispensing rack with up to 12 stacks of 50 bags. Because dispensing rack hooks may extend slightly upward from horizontal, this can cause the bottoms of bags near rack hook ends to be raised above the rack base. This mismatch in elevation also promotes tears during filling that begin at the rack hook die cut. When such a tear reaches the edge of the bag opening, the T-shirt bag may further rip or otherwise fail. In addition, because the relative position of the center rack hook may vary between dispensing racks, the application of any single T-shirt bag may be limited.

For at least the foregoing reasons, improved T-shirt bags and stacks of such bags are needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention seek to overcome one or more of the shortcomings described above. In embodiments of the invention, a T-shirt bag includes a breakout die cut between a rack hook die cut and a bag opening. Such breakout die cuts may thus limit tears from reaching the edge of the bag opening. In embodiments of the invention, a T-shirt bag includes multiple rack hook die cuts to accommodate dispensing racks having rack hooks in different positions. Such a T-shirt bag may thus enjoy wider application than conventional bags. Moreover, the multiple rack hook die cuts may operate together to form a relatively large tear zone and lessen the chance that a tear will reach the edge of the bag opening. In embodiments of the invention, the features described above may be used in combination.

In one respect, the invention provides a thermoplastic bag. The thermoplastic bag includes: a front layer; and a rear layer, each of the front layer and the rear layer including: a top edge; a bottom edge; a first side edge; and a second side edge, the front layer being joined to the rear layer at their respective bottom, first side and second side edges, at least a portion of the front layer top edge and at least a portion of the rear layer top edge forming an opening in the thermoplastic bag, each of the front layer and the rear layer further including: a first rack hook die cut positioned relatively near the top edge and substantially mid-way between the first and second side edges; a first fracture die cut connected to the first rack hook die cut, the first fracture die cut extending toward the top edge; and a breakout die cut positioned between the first fracture die cut and the top edge, the breakout die cut not connected to the top edge, the thermoplastic bag thus configured such that, when in use, a tear will tend to extend from the first rack hook die cut and through the first fracture die cut, the tear terminating in the breakout die cut without reaching the top edge.

In another respect, the invention provides a thermoplastic bag. The thermoplastic bag includes: a front layer; and a rear layer, each of the front layer and the rear layer including: a top edge; a bottom edge; a first side edge; and a second side edge, the front layer being joined to the rear layer at their respective bottom, first side and second side edges, at least a portion of the front layer top edge and at least a portion of the rear layer top edge forming an opening in the thermoplastic bag, each of the front layer and the rear layer further including: a plurality of rack hook die cuts positioned relatively near the top edge and substantially mid-way between the first and second side edges, the plurality of rack hook die cuts positioned in a column, the column being substantially parallel to the first and second side edges; and a plurality of fracture die cuts, each of the plurality of fracture die cuts connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of rack hook die cuts, each of the plurality of fracture die cuts extending toward the top edge the thermoplastic bag thus configured to receive a rack hook in any one or more of the plurality of rack hook die cuts.

In yet another respect, the invention provides a stack of thermoplastic bags.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description below and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a T-shirt bag, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a T-shirt bag, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a stack of T-shirt bags, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a stack of T-shirt bags, according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a stack of T-shirt bags, according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention will now be described more fully with reference to FIGS. 1 through 5, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. In the drawings, reference designators may be duplicated for the same or similar features.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a T-shirt bag, according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the T-shirt bag includes a bottom edge weld 105 and handle welds 110 that join a front and rear layer of the T-shirt bag. The T-shirt bag may further include a fold or seam along lines 115. Cold stake points 120 may be used to temporarily bond portions of the front layer to portions of the rear layer and/or to temporarily bond portions of a first T-shirt bag in a stack to portions of a second T-shirt bag in the stack. As used herein, a cold stake point is equivalent to a compression point. In the alternative or in combination with the cold stake points 120, a blunt die cutting tool can be used to cold form compression points at the edges of the arm die cuts 125 and/or the rack hook die cut 135. This material swaging process temporarily bonds portions of a first T-shirt bag in a stack to portions of a second T-shirt bag in the stack. The arm die cuts 125 located in handle portions of the T-shirt bag are configured to receive dispensing rack arms, as will be further discussed with reference to FIGS. 3-5 below.

A rack hook region located near the opening of the T-shirt bag includes a rack hook die cut 135. The rack hook die cut 135 is positioned and configured to receive a dispensing rack hook when the bag is being dispensed. A fracture die cut 140 is connected to the rack hook die cut 135, extending toward the T-shirt bag opening. The fracture die cut 140 may be, for instance, a frangible or perforated portion of the T-shirt bag that is weaker than surrounding T-shirt bag material. A breakout die cut 130 is positioned between the fracture die cut 140 and the T-shirt bag opening. In the illustrated embodiment, the breakout die cut 130 is not in direct communication with the fracture die cut 140.

The T-shirt bag illustrated in FIG. 1 is thus configured such that when the T-shirt bag is being dispensed from a dispensing rack, a tear that originates in the area of the rack hook die cut 135 in the direction of the T-shirt bag opening will tend to propagate through the fracture die cut 140. The tear may terminate in the fracture die cut 140. Alternatively, the tear may further propagate from the fracture die cut 140 to the breakout die cut 130 and terminate in the breakout die cut 130 without reaching the edge of the T-shirt bag opening.

Variations to the T-shirt bag illustrated in FIG. 1 are possible. For instance, in an alternative embodiment, the T-shirt bag may not include a fold or seam along lines 115. Moreover, the cold stake points 120 could vary in quantity and location, according to design choice. Nor is the invention intended to be limited by the shape of the rack hook die cut 135, breakout die cut 130 and arm die cuts 125. In an alternative embodiment, the fracture die cut 140 could be in direct communication with both the rack hook die cut 135 and the breakout die cut 130.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a T-shirt bag, according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the T-shirt bag includes a bottom edge weld 205 and handle welds 210 that join a front and rear layer of the T-shirt bag. The T-shirt bag may further include a fold or seam along lines 215. Cold stake points 220 may be used to temporarily bond portions of the front layer to portions of the rear layer and/or to temporarily bond portions of a first T-shirt bag in a stack to portions of a second T-shirt bag in the stack. In the alternative or in combination with the cold stake points 220, a blunt die cutting tool can be used to cold form compression points at the edges of the arm die cuts 225 and/or rack hook die cuts 235, 236, and/or 237. This material swaging process temporarily bonds portions of a first T-shirt bag in a stack to portions of a second T-shirt bag in the stack. This method may also be used at the bag ends near welds 210 and 205 to temporarily bond the cut edges. The arm die cuts 225 located in handle portions of the T-shirt bag are configured to receive dispensing rack arms, as will be further discussed with reference to FIGS. 3-5 below.

A rack hook region located near the opening of the T-shirt bag includes rack hook die cuts 235, 236, and 237. The rack hook die cuts 235, 236, and 237 are positioned and configured so that the T-shirt bag can receive a dispensing rack hook through any one of the rack hook die cuts 235, 236 or 237 when the bag is being dispensed. The T-shirt bag also includes fracture die cuts 240, 241, and 242. Each of the fracture die cuts 240, 241, and 242 are connected to a corresponding one of the rack hook die cuts 235, 236, and 237. Each of the fracture die cuts 240, 241, and 242 may be, for instance, a frangible or perforated portion of the T-shirt bag that is weaker than surrounding T-shirt bag material. A breakout die cut 230 is positioned between the fracture die cut 240 and the T-shirt bag opening. In the illustrated embodiment, the breakout die cut 230 is not in direct communication with the fracture die cut 240.

The T-shirt bag illustrated in FIG. 2 is thus configured such that when the T-shirt bag is being dispensed from a dispensing rack, a tear that originates in any of the rack hook die cuts 235, 236, or 237 in the direction of the T-shirt bag opening will not likely reach the edge of the bag opening. For instance, a tear originating in the rack hook die cut 236 in the direction of the bag opening will tend to propagate through the fracture die cut 241. The tear may terminate in the fracture die cut 241. Alternatively, the tear may further propagate from the fracture die cut 241 to the rack hook die cut 235. The tear may then terminate in the rack hook die cut 235. Alternatively, the tear may further propagate from the rack hook die cut 235 to the fracture die cut 240. The tear may terminate in the fracture die cut 240. Alternatively, the tear may further propagate from the fracture die cut 240 to the breakout die cut 230 and terminate in the breakout die cut 230 without reaching the edge of the T-shirt bag opening.

Variations to the T-shirt bag illustrated in FIG. 2 are possible. For instance, in an alternative embodiment, the T-shirt bag may not include a fold or seam along lines 215. Moreover, the cold stake points 220 could vary in quantity and location, according to design choice. Nor is the invention intended to be limited by the shape of the rack hook die cuts 235, 236, and 237, the breakout die cut 230 and the arm die cuts 225. Because the rack hook die cuts 235, 236, and 237 can work in cooperation to extend a controlled tear zone, the breakout die cut 230 can be omitted. In an alternative embodiment, the fracture die cut 240 could be in direct communication with both the rack hook die cut 235 and the breakout die cut 230. Likewise, the fracture die cut 241 could be in direct communication with both the rack hook die cut 236 and the rack hook die cut 235, and the fracture die cut 242 could be in direct communication with both the rack hook die cut 237 and the rack hook die cut 236.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a stack of T-shirt bags, according to an embodiment of the invention. The stack 315 may include multiple T-shirt bags of the type described with reference to FIG. 1, including multiple T-shirt bags of any disclosed variation of the bag illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 partially illustrates a dispensing rack having two dispensing rack arms 305 and a dispensing rack hook 310. When the stack 315 is assembled to the dispensing rack, each of the two dispensing rack arms 305 communicate with a corresponding one of the two arm die cuts 125 in each of the bags in the stack 315. In addition, the dispensing rack hook 310 communicates with the rack hook die cut 135 in each of the bags in the stack 315.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a stack of T-shirt bags, according to an embodiment of the invention. The stack 405 may include multiple T-shirt bags of the type described with reference to FIG. 2, including multiple T-shirt bags of any disclosed variation of the bag illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 partially illustrates a dispensing rack having two dispensing rack arms 305 and a dispensing rack hook 310. When the stack 405 is assembled to the dispensing rack, each of the two dispensing rack arms 305 communicate with a corresponding one of the two arm die cuts 225 in each of the bags in the stack 405. In addition, the dispensing rack hook 310 communicates with the rack hook die cut 235 in each of the bags in the stack 405.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a stack of T-shirt bags, according to an embodiment of the invention. The embodiment in FIG. 5 is substantially the same as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, except that the dispensing rack includes a dispensing rack hook 505 instead of a dispending rack hook 310. The dispensing rack hook 505 is positioned further from the opening of each of the T-shirt bags in stack 405. Accordingly, when the stack 405 is assembled onto the dispensing rack, the dispensing rack hook 505 is in communication with the rack hook die cut 237 rather than the rack hook die cut 235. A comparison FIGS. 4 and 5 thus illustrate that the stack 405 may enjoy wider application than the stack 315.

Embodiments of the invention thus provide many benefits. In one respect, embodiments of the invention include one or more fracture die cuts, a breakout die cut, and/or multiple rack hook die cuts to prevent tears that originate in a rack hook die cut from reaching an edge of the T-shirt bag opening. In another respect, embodiments of the invention provide multiple rack hook die cuts that permit a T-shirt stack to be dispensed from more than one dispensing rack configuration.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made without deviating from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, alternative features described herein could be combined in ways not explicitly illustrated or disclosed. Moreover, features of the invention could be applied to bags and stacks that are other than the T-shirt type illustrated in the figures. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover any such modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A thermoplastic bag comprising: a front layer; and a rear layer, each of the front layer and the rear layer including: a top edge; a bottom edge; a first side edge; and a second side edge, the front layer being joined to the rear layer at their respective bottom, first side and second side edges, at least a portion of the front layer top edge and at least a portion of the rear layer top edge forming an opening in the thermoplastic bag, each of the front layer and the rear layer further including: a first rack hook die cut positioned relatively near the top edge and substantially mid-way between the first and second side edges; a first fracture die cut connected to the first rack hook die cut, the first fracture die cut extending toward the top edge; and a breakout die cut positioned between the first fracture die cut and the top edge, the breakout die cut not connected to the top edge, the thermoplastic bag thus configured such that, when in use, a tear will tend to extend from the first rack hook die cut and through the first fracture die cut, the tear terminating in the breakout die cut without reaching the top edge.
 2. The thermoplastic bag of claim 1, wherein the front layer is joined to the rear layer via a plastic weld substantially located along the respective bottom edges.
 3. The thermoplastic bag of claim 1, wherein the first fracture die cut defines a slit in each of the front layer and the rear layer.
 4. The thermoplastic bag of claim 1, wherein the first fracture line defines a perforation track in each of the front layer and the rear layer.
 5. The thermoplastic bag of claim 1, wherein the first fracture die cut defines a weakened portion in each of the front layer and the rear layer.
 6. The thermoplastic bag of claim 1, wherein the first fracture die cut is further connected to the breakout die cut in each of the front layer and the rear layer.
 7. The thermoplastic bag of claim 1, further including at least one compression point in each of the front layer and the rear layer, the at least one compression point configured to temporarily bond at least a portion of the front layer to at least a portion of the rear layer.
 8. The thermoplastic bag of claim 7, wherein one of the at least one of compression point is located at an edge of the rack hook die cut.
 9. The thermoplastic bag of claim 1, wherein each of the front layer and the rear layer further include: a second rack hook die cut positioned near the top edge and substantially mid-way between the first and second side edges; and a second fracture die cut connected to the first rack hook die cut, the second fracture die cut extending toward the top edge, the first rack hook die cut being positioned between the second rack hook die cut and the top edge, the thermoplastic bag thus configured to receive a rack hook in one of the first rack hook die cut and the second rack hook die cut, the thermoplastic bag further configured such that, when the rack hook is extended in the second rack hook die cut, the tear will tend to extend from the second rack hook die, through the second fracture die cut, and to the first rack hook die cut.
 10. The thermoplastic bag of claim 9, wherein the second fracture die cut defines a weakened portion in each of the front layer and the rear layer.
 11. The thermoplastic bag of claim 9, wherein the second fracture die cut is further connected to the first rack hook die cut in each of the front layer and the rear layer.
 12. The thermoplastic bag of claim 9, further including at least one compression point in each of the front layer and the rear layer, the at least one compression point configured to temporarily bond at least a portion of the front layer to at least a portion of the rear layer.
 13. The thermoplastic bag of claim 1, each of the front layer and the rear layer further including: a first handle portion; and a second handle portion, the first and second handle portions extending from the top edge, the first handle portion having a first arm die cut configured to receive a first dispensing rack arm, the second handle portion having a second arm die cut configured to receive a second dispensing rack arm.
 14. A thermoplastic bag comprising: a front layer; and a rear layer, each of the front layer and the rear layer including: a top edge; a bottom edge; a first side edge; and a second side edge, the front layer being joined to the rear layer at their respective bottom, first side and second side edges, at least a portion of the front layer top edge and at least a portion of the rear layer top edge forming an opening in the thermoplastic bag, each of the front layer and the rear layer further including: a plurality of rack hook die cuts positioned relatively near the top edge and substantially mid-way between the first and second side edges, the plurality of rack hook die cuts positioned in a column, the column being substantially parallel to the first and second side edges; and a plurality of fracture die cuts, each of the plurality of fracture die cuts connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of rack hook die cuts, each of the plurality of fracture die cuts extending toward the top edge the thermoplastic bag thus configured to receive a rack hook in any one or more of the plurality of rack hook die cuts.
 15. The thermoplastic bag of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of fracture die cuts define a slit in each of the front layer and the rear layer.
 16. The thermoplastic bag of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of fracture die cuts define a weakened portion in each of the front layer and the rear layer.
 17. The thermoplastic bag of claim 14, wherein at least one of the plurality of fracture die cuts is connected to two of the plurality of rack hook die cuts.
 18. The thermoplastic bag of claim 14, further including at least one compression point in each of the front layer and the rear layer, the at least one compression point temporarily bonding at least a portion of the front layer to at least a portion of the rear layer.
 19. A bag stack comprising a plurality of thermoplastic bags, each of the plurality of thermoplastic bags including: a front layer; and a rear layer, each of the front layer and the rear layer including: a top edge; a bottom edge; a first side edge; and a second side edge, the front layer being joined to the rear layer at their respective bottom, first side and second side edges, at least a portion of the front layer top edge and at least a portion of the rear layer top edge forming an opening in each of the plurality of thermoplastic bags, each of the front layer and the rear layer further including: a first rack hook die cut positioned relatively near the top edge and substantially mid-way between the first and second side edges; a first fracture die cut connected to the first rack hook die cut, the first fracture die cut extending toward the top edge; and a breakout die cut positioned between the first fracture die cut and the top edge, the breakout die cut not connected to the top edge, each of the thermoplastic bags thus configured such that, when in use, a tear will tend to extend from the first rack hook die cut and through the first fracture die cut, the tear terminating in the breakout die cut without reaching the top edge.
 20. The bag stack of claim 19, wherein each of the front layer and the rear layer further include: a second rack hook die cut positioned near the top edge and substantially mid-way between the first and second side edges; and a second fracture die cut connected to the first rack hook die cut, the second fracture die cut extending toward the top edge, the first rack hook die cut being positioned between the second rack hook die cut and the top edge, each of the thermoplastic bags thus configured to receive a rack hook in one of the first rack hook die cut and the second rack hook die cut, each of the thermoplastic bags further configured such that, when the rack hook is extended in the second rack hook die cut, the tear will tend to extend from the second rack hook die, through the second fracture die cut, and to the first rack hook die cut. 